Studio Daniel Libeskind - Crystals at CityCenter, in Las Vegas, Nevada

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 07:14

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Located in the heart of Las Vegas Boulevard, Crystals is the 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment space, which is the connective center of the MGM MIRAGE City-Center project. Opened in 2009, CityCenter is a vertical city within a city which includes 2,400 private residences, two boutique hotels, and a 61-story resort casino. The project bears its architect’s signature style with turbulent forms interacting with each other in a sculptural composition.

Concept-sketch-SDL crystals_01 The crystalline and metal-clad façade signals to visitors well in advance of arrival that Crystals is not a traditional retail environment. An entryway into the retail area from the Strip draws pedestrians into the public arcade, covered by a spiraling roof structure. From the interior, the roof’s dramatic angles and skylights become a backdrop for the luxury retail and dining it houses which include Louis Vuitton, TIFFANY & CO., and Bulgari as well as concept restaurants from Wolfgang Puck and Todd English. The public spaces allow for a variety of urban experiences: a water feature at the entry, cafes and a grand staircase leading to Casino Square at the end of the arcade, animating the entire space.
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SFrances_091129_0923 The design and construction of Crystals employs the most environmentally conscious practices and materials. In November 2009 it was announced that Crystals achieved LEED® Gold Core & Shell certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), making it the world’s largest retail district to receive this level of recognition.
SFrances_091129_0995 Crystals' sustainable highlights:
- Radiant floor cooling will use less energy for air conditioning by chilling the air specifically in occupied areas rather than cooling the entire space.
- The majority of all wood products used in Crystals are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, meaning the wood is produced from forests with sustainable management practices in place.
- Annually, Crystals will save an estimated 1.8 million gallons of water within the building through efficient water fixtures. This equates to a savings of nearly 38 percent over existing building codes
- Skylights will allow for abundant natural light to illuminate the space.
- Guests arriving with alternative fuel vehicles will have access to preferred parking.

Crystals_04 Project Data
Architecture: Studio Daniel Libeskind
Architect of Record: Adamson Associates Architects
Building Area: 500,000 sq. ft.
Completion: 2009
Client: MGM Mirage
Structural Engineer: Halcrow Yolles
Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing Engineer: Flack + Kurtz
Facade Consultant: Israel Berger & Associates
Interior Designer: Rockwell Group
Lighting Designer: Focus Lighting
Collaborating Architects: Foster and Partners, Gensler, Murphy Jahn Architects, KPF, Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, HKS, Leo A. Daly, RV Architecture
Contractor: Perini Building Company
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